English Open 2016

[Boongogg]

Yes, absolutely - this is the time for him to strike and make a name for himself, great to see. Just what snooker needs to, new fearless gladiators looking to do battle.

[mikeyd100]

Easy to be fearless when you are young and talented though isn't it! It must just feel like fun to this lad trying to take a few big scalps without really being under too much pressure as he's probably not expected to beat Ronnie. Its when you get past that stage and everyone knows you are good and expects you to win it becomes hard...as Ding has experienced.

True, he has lots to learn, but what a platform he has made.
Reminds me of Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.

[Boongogg]

Easy to be fearless when you are young and talented though isn't it! It must just feel like fun to this lad trying to take a few big scalps without really being under too much pressure as he's probably not expected to beat Ronnie. Its when you get past that stage and everyone knows you are good and expects you to win it becomes hard...as Ding has experienced.

[mikeyd100]

The camera was on the young Zhao and it then cut to Ronnie in his chair and he looked really old, .

Spooky,thats the first thing that came into my mind.
Great match though... more matches like that will age him even quicker.

[Boongogg]

That match was a joy to watch. The very first frame set the tone, what a brilliant ton by Zhao....very poised, confident, fearless...he didn't give a damn about who he was playing. Ronnie was lauding him after the game, saying he enjoyed it very much.
This kid is amazing, really. Such a high potential but like others before him, needs to refine his game to be more complete. But boy, what a talent.....

Its a massive part of the game to have confidence in your ability and be fearless - I watched poor Mitchel Mann against Ding the other day he looked beaten before he started....

[Boongogg]

Serves the pillsbury dough boy right for questioning Ding's commitment to snooker and preparation. Go and cut your lawn dough boy.

Da haa ha! loving that! Pilsbury dough boy showing off on his lawn mower was a low point for me, I was finding it hard to like him anyway and then that just completed my contempt for him. And yes, I don't care if he can play the piano too, so can my 12 year old daughter. He should stop making comments on others players like he's an authority on everything and sort his form out.

[gavpowell]

YEEESSSSSS my mate Chris shocking the snooker world, chuffed for him!

First time I've ever seen him play, but he plays fairly fluent, attractive stuff and fair play to him for his honesty in the post-match: "I've checked out of my hotel before every match...I'm not going to be the favourite against any of the top players"

Hope he does well from here - nothing worse than someone playing well just long enough to knock Ronnie out!

[tomwalker147]

YEEESSSSSS my mate Chris shocking the snooker world, chuffed for him!

[Odrl]

Chris Wakelin is a lucky man. He messed up a routine colour clearance to win, then missed a simple black off the spot in the decider, but O'Sullivan gave him yet another gift. :wink:

[the lone wolf]

£1,000,000.000000000000000 bonus up for grabs!
Who wants it the most? :snooker:

[jrc750]

Well done son

[jrc750]

What pressure can do to you...

Yeah can't believe Ronnie won that

[streamer45]

What pressure can do to you...

[DeanH]

Zhao maybe a debutant on the tour, but he has been around as an amateur for a few years now, and got to three ranking last16 rounds (2014 Shanghai & Wuxi, and 2013 IntChamp) as well as 6 ranking last32 which I think shows a very high level of core ability and attitude that hopefully will push him through to top64 in the next two seasons.
As to the match last night, it did show that Ronnie was not on top form (B game?) and was pushed to get across the line.
In a longer match, who knows, maybe Ronnie would have won every subsequent frame? anyone's guess
Definitely one to watch out for and I hope he does not fade away.
As mentioned in the interview with ROS, maybe if someone like SteveD (or TerryG) takes him under their wing to polish out any problems in his game/mentality?

[jrc750]

based upon this 1 match who is he better than then? I hope he is going to be a top player but I think people have a habit of over doing it a bit.

You name someone who performs that well on telly and against Ronnie, i think you will struggle to find anyone